James Gunn to take over Worlds of DC movies and TV shows with The Suicide Squad producer

"So pleased to be here."

By Harriet Mitchell

25 Oct 2022

james gunn at the suicide squad red carpet event

Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagicGetty Images

Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn is set to take over the Worlds of DC movies and TV shows with The Suicide Squad producer Peter Safran.

In the role of co-chairs and co-CEOs, the director and producer will head up DC Studios, which will be replacing DC Films as a new division at Warner Bros.

Jointly taking on the highly coveted role, Gunn and Safran will replace former DC Films boss Walter Hamada after a long search for his replacement by David Zaslav, CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Gunn's focus will be creative while Safran's will be production and business, and they will both carry on directing and producing respective projects.

Gunn took to Twitter earlier this evening (October 25) to confirm the news, sharing a screenshot of the news article which he captioned: "Accurate. So pleased to be here."

In a joint statement, Gunn and Safran said: “We’re honored to be the stewards of these DC characters we’ve loved since we were children, we look forward to collaborating with the most talented writers, directors, and actors in the world to create an integrated, multilayered universe that still allows for the individual expression of the artists involved.

Peter Safran

Getty Images

"Our commitment to Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Harley Quinn, and the rest of the DC stable of characters is only equaled by our commitment to the wonder of human possibility these characters represent.

"We’re excited to invigorate the theatrical experience around the world as we tell some of the biggest, most beautiful, and grandest stories ever told."

“DC has among the most entertaining, powerful, and iconic characters in the world and I am thrilled to have the singular and complementary talents of James and Peter joining our world-class team and overseeing the creative direction of the storied DC Universe," DC boss David Zaslav added in a statement.